Which of the following is a sign of possible abuse or neglect?

• A. Parent praises the child
• B. Parent blames or belittles child
• C. Parent keeps regular appointments
• D. Parent is consistently affectionate

Answer: (B)

Emotional abuse is a warning sign of possible abuse or neglect. When a parent consistently blames or belittles a child, it sends a message that the child is worthless or always at fault. This undermines the child’s self-esteem and can be part of an ongoing pattern of mistreatment or neglect. In contrast, genuine praise, keeping regular appointments, and consistent affection reflect a nurturing, supportive caregiving environment and do not indicate abuse. So the belittling behavior stands out as the indicator of potential abuse or neglect. If you observe this, it warrants careful observation and appropriate reporting or intervention per your program's guidelines.